is not perfectly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not perfectly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not entirely or completely in a desired state or condition. Example: "The solution is not perfectly aligned with our expectations, but it is a good start."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I know this is not perfectly legal".

The New York Times

The system is not perfectly flexible.

The Economist

Manhattan's grid is not perfectly regular.

The New York Times - Arts

"She is not perfectly made up.

The New York Times

"Human enamel is not perfectly smooth," he said.

The New York Times

The earth is not perfectly round, of course.

The New York Times

But, with the Yankees, Mendoza's future is not perfectly scripted.

The New York Times - Sports

She is not perfectly manicured in any way".

The New York Times

But the Moon's gravity is uneven and the orbit is not perfectly circular.

The New York Times - Science

The star density in the solar neighbourhood is not perfectly uniform.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(The title refers to paratroopers whose parachutes fail to open.) "Streamers" is not perfectly put together.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not perfectly" to soften criticism or provide a nuanced assessment, acknowledging flaws without being overly harsh.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "is not perfectly", as it can sometimes sound redundant. Explore alternatives like "is flawed" or "has limitations" for more concise writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not perfectly" functions as a qualifier, softening a statement by indicating that something falls short of being ideal or complete. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not perfectly" serves as a qualifier, indicating that something falls short of being ideal or complete. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, particularly in science and news. While versatile, overusing it can lead to wordiness; consider alternatives like "is somewhat flawed" or "has room for improvement" for conciseness. When you want to provide a balanced assessment, "is not perfectly" is a good starting point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has room for improvement

Focuses specifically on the potential for enhancement.

is somewhat flawed

Indicates a degree of imperfection, but uses 'flawed' instead of 'perfectly'.

is not quite right

Indicates something is inaccurate or incorrect to some degree.

is less than ideal

Expresses that something could be better, focusing on the ideal state.

is not wholly accurate

Suggests some level of inaccuracy exists.

leaves something to be desired

Indicates that there is room for improvement.

is not entirely satisfactory

Highlights a lack of complete satisfaction.

is partially incorrect

Emphasizes the presence of incorrect elements.

is a bit off

Informal way of saying something is not quite right.

is not without its faults

Acknowledges that imperfections exist.

FAQs

What does "is not perfectly" mean?

The phrase "is not perfectly" indicates that something has flaws or is incomplete. It acknowledges imperfections without being overly critical.

How can I use "is not perfectly" in a sentence?

You can use "is not perfectly" to describe something that has shortcomings. For example: "The solution "is not perfectly" aligned with our expectations, but it's a good start."

What can I say instead of "is not perfectly"?

You can use alternatives like "is somewhat flawed", "is less than ideal", or "has room for improvement" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "is imperfect" or "is not perfectly"?

Both "is imperfect" and "is not perfectly" are acceptable, but "is imperfect" is more concise. "Is not perfectly" adds a degree of nuance, suggesting it's close to perfect but falls slightly short.